Tag: the netherlands

MIDDLE EAST SYRIAThe Syrian Democratic Forces' commander in Baghouz, Heval Roni, says that ISIS is down to its last four square kilometers of territory in Syria, a stretch of territory from the Baghouz area to the Iraqi border. The SDF believes there are "some high-ranking" ISIS bigwigs in that enclave, but doesn't know if Abu … Continue reading World update: January 28 2019

ASIA AFGHANISTAN General Scott Miller of the United States Army took over as commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan on Sunday. On another note, I hope some of my fellow passengers on the Titanic got a chance to see the way the crew moved the deck chairs around this weekend. I think it really looks wonderful. … Continue reading World update: September 1-2 2018

EUROPE RUSSIA The State Department on Thursday accused the Russian navy of "harassment of international shipping" for trying to "impede maritime transit" in the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait as part of an "ongoing campaign to undermine and destabilize Ukraine." Basically it seems Russia is barring ships from getting to Ukrainian ports. For its … Continue reading Europe/Americas update: August 30 2018

EUROPE RUSSIA While refusing to entirely do away with his government's proposed retirement age increase, Russian President Vladimir Putin did tone down the plan a bit on Wednesday by lowering the proposed new retirement age for women to 60, down from 63 in the initial proposal (though still up from 55 currently). Putin argued that … Continue reading Europe/Americas update: August 29 2018

ASIA AFGHANISTAN Contrary to what the South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday, the Chinese government insisted on Wednesday that it is not preparing to build a new military facility in Afghanistan, let alone planning to send its own soldiers to man that facility. Of course there's no particular reason to believe anything Beijing says, so … Continue reading Asia/Africa update: August 29 2018

EUROPE Migration is the issue that's been roiling European politics for weeks months years now. It's the issue that inspired Italians to elect a government full of reactionary racists, that inspired Austrians to elect a government full of neo-Nazis, and that recently almost took down Angela Merkel's already weak coalition in Germany. But according to … Continue reading Europe/Americas update: July 6 2018